Loki waited to see how the Dark Knight would handle his incursion into Justice League territory.
The heroes of the League were in theory all equals, but some were more prominent and had taken leadership roles in their little clubhouse. Kal-El because of his incredible strength. This one because of his intelligence and shear force of will. Although it seemed this mortal hero had a reputation for being even more taciturn and gloomy than Hogun. Indeed, the hero was much like the city he dwelt in: dark, dour, and dangerous. Unwelcoming to outsiders and unforgiving of weakness. Although perhaps the last was not entirely accurate. The Dark Knight had appointed himself champion for the defenseless of Gotham, protecting them from the criminal element that preyed upon them. It was only in himself in which he would not tolerate weakness. Indeed he had honed himself into a weapon so that he could fight madmen and monsters and make even beings with the powers of gods follow his orders.
While part of Loki's reason for visiting the Watchtower was to assess the heroes who fought alongside his son, it was this hero in particular he was eager to see.
Loki knew his son respected the other hero, and had often sought his advice regarding his whole 'superhero' lifestyle. Indeed, the fact that for all intents and purposes a "normal" unpowered human could not only hold his own but excel amongst those gifted with various superpowers was astounding. His son valued the man's opinion, and Loki doubted that the other would be likely to welcome the presence of a super villain in his comrade's life. Loki needed to get the measure of the other man if he was to be a potential impediment to his building a relationship with his son. Even better would be to forge some sort of truce with the other man.
The Dark Knight had stalked fearlessly up to Loki and fixed him with a cold implacable stare. But while he might seem menacing to common midgardian criminals, his attempt to loom threateningly over Loki was doomed to failure. Loki had in his many centuries faced more powerful and fearsome foes. To say nothing of the dread Loki still felt when confronted by the disapproving gaze of Odin Allfather.
Loki's thoughts of his not-father were interrupted when the other growled out "What are you doing here?"
"I just popped in for a quick visit with my son" Loki said with his most annoying and condescending smile.
"You shouldn't be here. How did you get in?"
"I go where I want. And was it supposed to be difficult to enter?" Loki said with patently false innocence just dripping from each word.
(It might seem strange to deliberately provoke someone he wanted to build a truce with, but Loki knew that if he came with a friendly smile and polite manners he would only be met with suspicion. Acting rather like a jerk would actually put the other man at ease as it would be more in keeping with the behavior he was expecting.)
Having successfully pushed the other man's buttons, his opponent could only reply with an inarticulate growl and some muttering about dangerous aliens.
Loki hid a frown at the comment. He didn't mind for himself, as it was only wise to call him dangerous. But the "aliens" implicated his son (and quite a few other League members) as well. Later Loki would have to look into recent events in Gotham, as her protector seemed to be having an exceptionally bad day and it was bleeding into his response. But for now Loki would have to stop the other man before his temper caused him to say something that might wound his son's feelings and damage the relationship Kal-El had with his sometimes mentor.
A snap of his fingers (just for show) and any further comments were cut off as Loki helped the hero become a "bat man" for real. He fluttered around Loki, battering ineffectually against the magic shield, with the resultant magic zaps doing little to improve the grumpy hero's attitude.
Those not wearing helmets showed various signs of shock, discomfort, and some hidden amusement at their comrade's transformation. Flash had vibrated in place for a few moments before vanishing from the room after catching sight of a men's room pictograph on a yellow background emblazoned on the furry gray chest of the large bat. From a distance Loki could hear the sound of the speedster's loud guffaws and the speedy hero went up slightly in Loki's opinion. The God of Mischief had always had a soft spot for those who could appreciate his little jokes. Maybe someday he would have an opportunity to arrange a playdate between the speedster and his firstborn Sleipnir.
Loki had to reassure his concerned son that the spell was only temporary and would dissipate on its own in a little while. (well, 250 years was a little while for an immortal. For a mortal human...Although Loki had no doubt that some of his son's playmates would have broken down and entreated him or one of the magic-wielding heroes to reverse the spell before then). Once his temper cooled, Batman was smart enough to know that Loki could have done much worse. It would no doubt confirm what the other probably suspected from Loki's apparent lack of hostile engagement with the League or its members prior to this: that Loki was willing to restrain himself to accommodate his son's sensibilities. Hopefully it would be enough of a starting point for a detente going forward.
His little object lesson also meant that none of the other heroes objected when Loki requested a moment in private with his son. After stashing a few muffins in his dimensional pocket for Kal-El, Loki left the basket for the other heroes as a sort of bribe/peace offering. Martian Manhunter was even kind enough to catch hold of the large bat and keep him from following them as Superman led Loki into another room.
After exchanging a few pleasantries it was time to get down to the purpose of his visit. Loki solemnly informed his son that he was concerned about Martha. That on his most recent visit she had seemed upset. Distressed about something. Loki had tried to cheer her but had not been entirely successful. He told Kal-El earnestly that he was sure that an extended visit from her son would be just the pick-me-up Martha needed for whatever was bothering her (and as the visit would provide the vacation she so worried her son needed it most definitely would lift her spirits). Of course Clark said he would fly to her side immediately, his only concern was how long he could stay – he didn't want to leave his friends in a lurch if something came up that the League needed to deal with.
Loki said Clark should have several days without interruption or worry for his visit. Loki had a contingency plan for the League...